Walorski-Kovach match heats up over Toll Road issue

Challenger has 'major move' in mind for House District 21 seat.

Challenger has 'major move' in mind for House District 21 seat.

August 29, 2006|JAMES WENSITS Tribune Political Writer

MISHAWAKA -- Democratic state representative candidate Bob Kovach is hopeful that what he calls the "sale-lease" of the Indiana Toll Road will result in a different kind of major move: his body into Republican Jackie Walorski's House District 21 seat. Whether it will won't be determined until the Nov. 7 election, but there is no doubt that House District 21 will be one of the most closely watched races in the state. "I don't think anyone knows the long-term impact of the sale-lease," Kovach said, using the dual term because "that's what the agreement says" and because "75 years is a sale for a lot of people's lifetime." Major Moves, as Gov. Mitch Daniels called his Toll Road-fueled plan to pay for state transportation projects, also played a role in Kovach's decision to challenge Walorski. "That's the basic reason I jumped into the race," the former Mishawaka mayor said, referring to what he views as Walorski's "total disregard for the constituency on this issue." And although he is unwilling to share the numbers, Kovach believes that a recent poll taken on his behalf indicates he is in a winnable race. "I think that's wishful thinking," said Walorski, who said she has done some polling of her own and believes the opposite to be true. "I have a sizable lead," she maintained. "It's a winnable district for my candidacy," insisted Kovach, who thinks the main issue in the race is representing the views of the district and its constituents. Citing Walorski's vote in support of leasing the Indiana Toll Road to a foreign conglomerate, Kovach said Walorski seems more willing to represent the views of Daniels than those of the people of her district. Another key issue could be the state's switch to daylight-saving time, an issue that also surfaced in his poll, Kovach said. Although Walorski voted against the switch to daylight time when the bill came to the floor, she has been criticized for not attending a crucial committee hearing where her vote might have been able to kill the measure earlier in the process. Kovach said the state's decision to lease the Toll Road is poor public policy. "It's not a good deal for northern Indiana," he said, citing his belief that money from the lease payments will be used to improve highways in other areas of the state while this area remains saddled with increased transportation costs because of reliance on the Toll Road for east-west traffic. "It puts us at a competitive disadvantage," he said. Kovach is also unhappy with long-term plans for upgrading U.S. 31 between South Bend and Indianapolis. "(U.S.) 31 is a problem," said Kovach, who said that instead of the total limited-access highway that folks thought they would get, the state is now planning to limit immediate improvements to two congested areas and ignore a third area "for political reasons." The two congested areas scheduled for improvement are those between South Bend and Plymouth and around Kokomo. What will happen to a third congested section in the Carmel area north of Indianapolis hasn't been fully determined, but it has been suggested that it may not have the limited access treatment. House District 21 is evenly divided geographically, with 24 precincts each in St. Joseph and Elkhart counties. Politically, however, it has long been considered to be a Republican stronghold, virtually impossible for a Democrat to win. To that, Kovach says, "I'm not adverse to tough races." Neither is Walorski, who said she has been out campaigning and speaking to various groups regularly since the end of the legislative session. Having time to spend in the district helps her tremendously, she said, as do comments suggesting that the Democrats will retake control of the House this year. Walorski said she has a core group of 225 to 250 supporters who are committed to helping her. When members of the group hear people suggest that Kovach will defeat her, she said, "it energizes them." Staff writer James Wensits: jwensits@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6353